Rahul Bose play villain in Vishwaroopam

After initial glitches in the form of the director of the film walking out (Selvaraghavan) followed by the heroine (Sonakshi Sinha) repeating a similar act, the film seems to be treading on the right track now. With Kamal Haasan taking the reigns of this project forward the actors are being finalized for the characters they will play in the film.

While grapevine is abuzz that Anushka Shetty plays the female lead, the other important characters are getting finalized as well. For one, it will be Rahul Bose who will be launching in to the Tamil film industry with 'Viswaroopam.' He is touted to be Kamal's villain in the film.

Sources close to him have revealed that he has grown a beard for the required look in this Kamal project and is quite eager to share screen space with Kamal Haasan. Most of Kamal's villains have carved a niche for themselves; it is just a matter of time to see what is in store for the actor from Paschim Banga down in Kollywood!

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Story ready for Vikram-Bala film

Most of us know that Vikram would soon join hands with Bala, the man who gave his acting career two turning points, with 'Sethu' and 'Pithamagan'. The unknown thing is that the script for the film is taking shape on a fast track.

"The basic story is ready. Bala, with the help of a popular writer, is now developing it into a perfect script. This will go on for at least a couple of months, within which the Chiyaan will complete his other commitments," say sources.

Fresh from the success of 'Deiva Thirumagal', Vikram is now simultaneously acting in two films- 'Rajapattai' and 'Karikalan'. "Suseenthiran is expected to complete the shoot of Rajapattai very soon," say sources.

On joining hands with Bala again, Vikram says, "Our wavelength is always the same and I am like an assistant director while acting in a film directed by Bala. He is my best friend, brother and mentor. I just love working with him."

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Charmi in Love

Remember Charmi, who started her career in Kollywood opposite STR in 'Kadhal Azhivadhillai' and later went on to become a top actress in Tollywod. The latest buzz is that villain actor Soonu Sood is 'seeing' her.

It is said that both Sonu and Charmi developed a soft corner for each other while working together for the Hindi film 'Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap', and since then, the former has been recommending the latter to Bollywood producers.

However, the 'Rana' baddie has denied it. "I am happily living with my wife and children. I am not in love with Charmi. She is my good friend and ours is a very decent relationship. There is no place for anything else."

Clearing the air further, Sonu Sood says, "The fact is that we didn't even meet once on the sets of Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap. Because, we were shooting with different units and we only spoke over phone, that too not more than a couple of times."

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Shahrukh visits God's Own Country

Bollywood Badshah Shahrukh Khan had recently been in Kerala for an inaugural function.

The King Khan was invited to launch 'The Raviz', a five-star hotel property with seven star facilities standing on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake in suburban Kollam, yesterday. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the function while Malayalam superstars Mohanlal, Mammooty and filmmaker Priyadarshan were among the special invitees.

SRK who was excited with the beauty of Kerala also took time to have a chat with the press. "I am coming after a long time. It is fantastic to be here. I was here (in Kerala) for 'Dil Se'," he said.

Besides this event, Khan along with Mohanlal launched the logo for 'Kollam Feast', a tourism promotion campaign, at the Asramam Maidan at Kollam, about 70 km from Thiruvanathapuram.

When his opinion was asked about Hazare's campaign, Shahrukh maintained that the cause behind the agitation launched by Anna Hazare, that is to check corruption with Gandhian manners, is so fantastic that it is beyond his capacity to comment. "Corruption in the country has become so huge that we all support anti-corruption movements. Now that the movement is on the streets we should ensure that it does not die," added Khan.

Shahrukh was also of the view that the film industry of the country including Bollywood should give more emphasis to create entertainment than to engage in any sort of activism. "Ultimately entertainment should be looked upon as enrichment of the mind," he added.

Citing Kerala as the best film-making State in this country Shahrukh remembered the fine tips on good acting that Mollywood actors like Mammooty and Mohanlal had given him, from which he gained much.

After the ceremonies, the Badshah was warmly treated by Mohanlal who took SRK on a short pleasure trip around Kollam in a ferry. Quoted SRK in his micro-blogging site - "The great Mohanlalji...so much humility and grace. Showed me around Kollam like an excited child." Posting couple of pics, the star further added, "Visited Kollam Raviz resort in Kerala... was so touched by the love of all the ppl. Awesome resort. People waving to me from a picturesque bridge... truly God's own country...Kerala (sic)."

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'Rajanna' getting ready for Dasara release

With most of the films that were slated for release during Dasara season were postponed by one or two months, there are no films in sight for Dasara release.

However, 'Rajanna' directed by Vijayendra Prasad and produced by Nagarjuna on the banner of Annapurna Studios with himself playing the lead and Sneha as heroine is getting ready for release as Dasara gift.

As per the latest buzz, the shooting and post-production formalities were almost complete and only works related to some graphics remained pending.

The film unit is planning to complete the balance job by the second week of September. Nagarjuna had agreed to produce the film following an assurance from Rajamouli that he would take care of action scenes, songs and climax.

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Naga Chaitanya, the future star of Tollywood

He is just three films old, but actor Naga Chaitanya has already been touted as one among the most powerful upcoming stars in Tollywood.

After having tasted success with Ye Maya Chesave and 100% Love, the actor seems to be on a high with three new exciting films on hand!

Chaitanya, whose latest release Dhada, which stars Kajal Agarwal in the female lead, seems excited about the fact that the audience has received him well. Moving away from his lover-boy image, this time Chaitanya experimented with an action-oriented role.

“I personally like action-oriented roles and enjoy shooting fight sequences. As a matter of fact, if not for movies I would have become a racer by now! Moreover, I wanted to rid myself of my chocolate boy image and that’s the reason why I took up Dhada, which is an action-packed-entertainer,” admits the 25-year-old actor.

Chaitanya has already begun work on his next project Bejawada Rowdelu, that is being directed by Ram Gopal Varma. He says, “It’s always a dream for any actor to work with Ram Gopal Varma, and I am glad to have realised mine so early in my career.

I admire the way he plans out a film. Technically, the film is being shot in a rather different manner. I am learning so much just by watching him.”

With success comes controversies and Chaitanya has oft been in the news for the wrong reasons. Be it his alleged engagement with co-star Anushka or spat with yet another co-star Kajal, Chaitanya seems unmindful.

“If I am getting engaged, I would invite the media for a press conference and announce it. As far as Kajal’s alleged spat is concerned, I am quite surprised. We haven’t even had as much as an argument… she has been a wonderful co-star,” he says.

Do controversies and link-ups really bother him? “Not at all! If I am linked to an actor, it just says that my life is colourful. I really don’t mind being linked to a beautiful woman. Female attention is flattering,” he chuckles, adding, “All these are a part of being a celebrity.”
Coming from a family full of actors, Chaitanya is often subjected to pressure. “That’s expected. But it’s that very pressure that makes me a better actor. I grow as an actor with every film,” he concludes.

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Prachi Desai walks out of the south Indian film

Young teen idol of Kannada cinema, Diganth, got a taste of Bollywood's temperamental diva-brigade, when Prachi Desai, riding high ever since her career got a boost from Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, suddenly opted out his Hindi debut film at the eleventh hour, leaving the project high and dry.

The film, designed as a big romantic musical to give the Kannada heartthrob the right start in Bollywood, goes on the floors on the September...provided a suitable leading is found for Diganth at this late stage.

Says a source close to the project, "Everything was finalized. Diganth, who is a major star in Karnataka has all the makings of a national star, thanks to his Rajasthani background and his pan-India look. The producers P.J. Singh (of London Dreams) and director Mani Shankar (of Knock Out) wanted to launch Diganth with a pretty fragile girl who would be able to look physically correct with the 28-year Kannada star. Prachi was finalized."

And then suddenly Prachi informed the makers of Diganth's Bollywood debut film that she was no longer doing the film, thereby creating panic situation.

Says a source, "A lot of resources have gone into pre-production. The boy Diganth has been training to be equipped to take on competition from Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan. Everything was in place. But now the project is without a leading lady."

Incidentally, this is Prachi's second such misadventure with a Southern leading man. Earlier, she opted out unceremoniously from the Tamil film Thaidaiyaara Thaka leaving the project high and dry at the last minute.

We wonder what could have prompted Prachi to be so unprofessional with an established actor from another language, all set to be launched into Bollywood.

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